A preliminary survey on the occurrence of barbering in laboratory mice in Germany

Abstract Although barbering is common in laboratory mice (Mus musculus) , little known about its effects, both on animal welfare and the research data collected from barbered mice. To gain information occurrence of related risk factors facilities Germany, we performed an online survey. All respondents (n = 32 facilities) had experienced their facility. In most cases, less than 10% were affected, age onset was mostly observed to be 2 < 6 months. A greater susceptibility reported females C57BL/6 mice, but this could not verified as prevalence strain unknown. One facility differences between commercial suppliers. Barbering also recorded provided with enrichments, such houses, wood-gnawing blocks, tunnels, running wheels/discs or cage dividers. None responding swings, structural elements elevated platform foraging cognitive enrichment. The questions whether may have impact study results victims can used for experiments revealed mixed opinions, likely due a lack potential effects. This survey clearly demonstrated widely underestimated problem that given enough attention. We suggest should systematically documented every articles, provide understanding